Manager, Prototyping Lab

Location: Onsite - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

For over 150 years, Kohler Company has been a global leader in boldly reimagining the spaces where people live and work. Today, we continue that legacy by pushing the boundaries of design, engineering, and innovation-and we're looking for a passionate leader to help bring the next generation of ideas to life.

We are seeking a Manager - Wisconsin Prototyping to lead our cutting-edge Model Shop operations. In this role, you will be at the heart of product innovation, guiding a highly skilled team of project analysts and technicians to transform concepts into tangible prototypes. From advanced machining and 3D printing to precision finishing, your leadership will ensure every build meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and craftsmanship.

As a trusted partner to engineering and product development teams, you will play a critical role in accelerating design cycles, optimizing throughput, and delivering the prototype solutions that power breakthrough products. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact-connecting strategy to execution and turning bold ideas into reality.

Specific Responsibilities

• Strategic Operations Management: Direct daily Model Shop operations; optimize workflows, improve efficiency, and maximize productivity using data-driven decision making.
• Team Leadership & Development: Build and mentor a high-performing team through hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management that drive technical excellence and growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering, product development, and advanced manufacturing to align priorities and deliver prototype parts that support design reviews and key milestones.
• Quality Assurance Oversight: Define build requirements, standard work, and inspection checkpoints. Lead root cause and corrective actions for nonconforming parts; partner with engineering and suppliers to improve build consistency and reduce rework.
• Capital Planning & Implementation: Identify and prioritize equipment/infrastructure needs, develop business cases, and lead execution of approved capital projects.
• Equipment Management: Own equipment uptime through preventive maintenance, routine inspections, and calibration of measurement tools as applicable; minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Resource & Budget Management: Manage staffing, materials, and budgets; optimize procurement to support cost-effective operations without compromising quality or delivery.
• Statistical Analysis Leadership: Track prototyping metrics (throughput, rework/scrap, on-time delivery); identify trends and constraints; quantify opportunities and sustain improvements.
• Safety & Compliance Excellence: Champion shop safety and compliance; ensure adherence to applicable standards and maintain effective SOPs and work practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Reduce prototype lead time and rework by implementing standard work, 5S/visual management, clear handoffs, and simple daily management routines (priorities, capacity checks, issue escalation).